The Taylor Sheridan spy thriller Special Ops: Lioness is preparing to leave Netflix in certain regions, giving viewers a limited window to watch the first season on the platform. The show, which originally launched on Paramount+, made a temporary move to Netflix in select territories starting April 17, 2025. With its departure approaching, fans are looking for where to watch next and what to expect from the already confirmed third season.
A Temporary Stop on Netflix
The first season of Special Ops: Lioness arrives on Netflix in Latin American countries, Australia, and Canada on April 17, 2025. This marks a rare crossover for a Paramount+ original series, giving new audiences a chance to discover the action-packed CIA drama. The move is seen as a strategic licensing deal rather than a permanent home change.
For viewers in these regions, the clock is ticking. While an exact removal date has not been officially announced, streaming licensing agreements typically run for a limited period. The show is not available on Netflix in the United States or other major markets outside the specified regions. In those areas, Special Ops: Lioness remains a Paramount+ exclusive.
Where the Series Normally Lives
As a Paramount+ original series, Special Ops: Lioness is primarily available on Paramount+ in the United States and most international markets where the service operates. The show joins creator Taylor Sheridan’s growing collection of series on the platform, including Yellowstone, Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, 1883, and 1923.
For viewers outside the Netflix-licensed regions, Paramount+ remains the only streaming home for both seasons. The service offers the complete series, including the second season which debuted in October 2024.
A Third Season Is Officially Coming
Paramount+ confirmed in August 2025 that Special Ops: Lioness returns for a third season. The renewal came after the second season achieved strong viewership numbers, ranking No. 4 among Paramount+ originals with the biggest domestic household premieres. Season 2 generated 3 million views within its first seven days.
The delay in announcing the renewal was reportedly to work around the busy schedules of the show’s star-studded cast. With production schedules for Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, and Morgan Freeman all needing coordination, the network waited until timing aligned before moving forward.
Returning Cast for Season 3
Zoe Saldaña returns as Joe McNamara, the CIA agent leading the Lioness program. She initially hesitated to take the role when creator Taylor Sheridan first approached her during the pandemic. She told The Hollywood Reporter she did not feel ready at the time, but her husband encouraged her to revisit the opportunity a year later. Sheridan kept the role open.
Nicole Kidman is also back as Kaitlyn Meade, the high-ranking CIA officer overseeing the Lioness Engagement Team. Kidman describes her character as someone who can make hard decisions under extreme pressure and is always thinking several steps ahead.
Morgan Freeman continues as Edwin Mullins, a role he joined near the end of the first season. Freeman told TV Insider that being cast by Sheridan felt personal, noting the creator wrote the part specifically for him.
New additions to the cast include Ian Bohen, known for his work on Yellowstone and Teen Wolf, who plays Grady, a Delta Force operator and K9 handler. Elizaveta Neretin, a Ukrainian-Canadian actress with credits on Mayor of Kingstown and The Flash, also joins the cast in an as-yet-undisclosed role.
What to Expect From Season 3
The second season sees Joe, Kaitlyn, and Byron (Michael Kelly) enlist a new Lioness operative to face a previously unknown threat, with Joe dealing with the personal costs of leading the program. Season 3 continues exploring the high-stakes world of CIA counterterrorism operations.
Production for the new season is set to take place at the new 450,000-square-foot Fort Worth production campus in Texas, marking another chapter in Sheridan’s expanding production footprint in the state. Filming is expected to begin in October 2025.
Critical Reception
The show receives strong reviews across its first two seasons. The second season holds a 90% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praise the action sequences and the performances of the lead cast, with particular attention to Saldaña’s portrayal of a woman balancing intense professional demands with personal struggles.
How to Watch Before It Leaves Netflix
For viewers in Latin America, Australia, and Canada who want to catch the first season on Netflix, now is the time to watch. Once the licensing period ends, the show returns to Paramount+ as the exclusive streaming home in those regions as well.
Fans in the United States and other territories can stream both seasons on Paramount+. The service offers a free trial period for new subscribers, along with monthly and annual subscription options.
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